Typesetting mechanism for typewriters



Feb.- 14, 1933. J. F. KOcA I TYPESETTING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed July 18 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 14, 1933. J, F. KOCA TYPESETTING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1930 Feb. 14, 1933. 1,897,983

I NISM FOR TYPEWRITERS- Fi 111111 11111 so Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES F. KOOA, OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WOODSTOCK TYPE-WRITER COMPANY, OF WOODSTOCK, ILLI NOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS TYPESETTING MECHA NISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Application filed July 18,

My invention relates to mechanism for facilitating the connection of type-elements to type-bars of typewriting machines, and

. one of itsobjects is the provision of improved and eificient apparatus of this character.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved and eficient mechanism for positioning typeeelements and type-bars of a typewriter to facilitate the soldering of the type-element to the type-bar accurately in adjusted position;

Another object of the invention is the provision of a matrix for definitely locating or positioning the type-elements for connection to type-bars mounted on the type-bar segment. L

Another object of the invention is the provision of electromagnetic mechanism to facilitate the holding of a type-element connected to a matrix while such type-element is being soldered to a type-bar of a typewriter.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of type-setting apparatus embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 2 but taken from the opposite side of the structure shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the matrix block and also of a type-element soldered to a type-bar;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the matrix block-with the te-element associated therewith showing the typebar soldered to the type-element;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of a type-element; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the type-element adapted to receive the type-bar.

In Figs. 2 and 3, 8 designates the base plate of the supporting frame. This base plate may be provided with foot rests 9, 9 for engagement with the surface on which the machine is supported. As shown in Fig.1 in

1930. Serial No. 468,885.

dotted lines, the base plate 8 is circular over approximately three-quarters of the circumference, but at the left as-viewed in Fig. 1, is provided with a tapering extension 10 for supporting the upright pedegtal 11. The pedestal 11 may be secured at its lower end to the auxiliary plate 12 and the latter secured to the extension 10 by means of the cap screws 13, 13.

At the center of the circular portion of the base plate 8, is an opening for receiving the bolt 1 1. Surrounding the shank of the bolt it above the upper surface of the base plate 8 is a sleeve bearing 15, the lower end of which may engage the top of the base plate 8 and the upper end of which is en aged by the washer 16. By means of a nut 1 the washer -16 and sleeve bearing may be rigidly connected tion.

Journaled on the sleeve bearing 15 is a vertical cylindrical hub 18, the lower end of which at 19 is adapted to rest on balls 20 of a ball-bearing 21 on top of the base plate 8'.

Connected to the hub 18 and preferably to the base plate 8'in stationary posiintegral therewith, is a circular matrix plate 22. Since the sleeve bearing15 is clamped by means of the bolt 14 and nut 17 in fixed, stationary position relative' to the plate 8, the circular plate 22 is mounted for rotation on the ball-bearing 19, 20, 21 and the under side I of the washer 16 ma serve as a bearing for the upperside of the ub 18. It will thus be seen thatthe circular plate 22 while being mounted for rotation 911 a vertical axis concentric with the hub 18 and bea'fring15, the plate 22 is confined by the washer 16 and the ball-bearin 19, 20,21 against vertical movements relatively to the base plate 8.

In square or rectangular, openings 23 in the peripheral portion of the circular plate 22 are matrix blocks 24. The openings 23 arespaced apart circumterentially and each is of the same horizontal cross-sectional area as the horizontal cross-sectional area of the matrix block which fits into the same. The matrix blocks have depressed in the 11 per surfaces thereof the various characters ot the typewriter, to form the matrices. For ininstance, in Fig. a the matrix block 24 has are depressed in its upper surface the capital letter X as shown at 25 and at 26 the small letter a: is shown.

The matrix blocks are all of the same length measured vertically and their lower surfaces are all in the same horizontal plane. Likewise the upper surfaces of the matrix blocks 24 are in the same horizontal plane and the inner circumferentially spaced characters as shown in Fig. 1, are each equi-distant from the center of rotation of the matrix plate 22; likewise the matrix characters in the outer circular row are equi-distant from the center of rotation of the plate 22. After each matrix block 24 is accurately positioned in its opening 23 it may be securely held in its adjusted position by means of a set screw 27 with its head in a recess 28 in the periphery of the circular plate 22 as shown in Fig. 1.

Mounted on top of the pedestal 11 is a fixed and stationary arcuate support 29 corresponding in contour with the rear face of a type-bar segment 30. Secured to the arcuate support 29 and projecting upwardly therefrom are two spaced-apart vertical pins 31 adated to project into openings 32, 32 in the type-bar segment 30. The arrangement is such that any one of the plurality of t pebars 33 may be moved to its platen stri ing position with the assurance that the outer end portion 34 will occupy its proper position for having the type-element soldered thereto. Although in Fig. 1 I have shown only two type-bars 33, it should be understood that-the type-bar segment has a typeivoted in each of the slots shown.

hen a type-bar 33 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 its underside abuts against the stop 35 which is mounted on the front face of the type-bar segment 30 in position to limit the downward movement of the type-bar 33 and hold its outer end portion 34 at the proper elevation for soldering of the type-element thereto.

On the type-bar segment 30 is mounteda type-bar uide 66 relatively to which the type-bars ave been adjusted prior to mounting of the segment 30 on the pedestal 11, so as -to hold the type bars a ainst sidewise movement when in platen striking positions.

The type-element 36 has on its underside bar the type corresponding to the matrix depressions 25 and 26. Thatis to say, the type-element corres onding to the matrix block 24 of Fi 4 has t e capital letter X as shown at 37 in ig. 6 and also a small letter a: and these letters are adapted to fit into the matrix depressions 25 and 26 in the top of the block 24.

The type-element is U-sha ed in cross-secigs. 5,6 and 7. When the extension 34 of the type-bar 33 is in proper position as determined by the abutment 35 and the type-element is held in pro er position in the matrix depressions in tl i top of the matrix block, the extension 34 will -1,s97,esa

be spaced a short distance at its sidesand at its bottom from the bottom and inner walls of the U-shaped portion of the type-element. When the extension 34 and type-element are thus hgld, solder may be melted and permitted to run into the space between the extension 34 and the inner bottom, and side walls of the U-shaped type-element, and such soldering is illustrated at 39 in Fig. 5. When the soldered connection is completed the solder may be extended as indicated at 40 so as to co-act with the solder 39 and entirely surround the extension 34 and thus very securely connect the type-element to the type-bar very accurately in adjusted position.

In orderto hold the rotatable matrix plate 22 accurately in adjusted position for each of the matrix blocks, I have provided a series of spaced-apart circumferentially arranged tapered recesses 41 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. These tapered recesses 41 may be formed in cylindrical blocks 42 placed in openings 43 in radial alinement with the character depressions in the upper surfaces of the matrix blocks 24.

Adapted to project upwardly into the tapered recesses 41 is a corresponding tapered detent 44 as shown in Fig. 3. The detent 44 is mounted on a cylindrical block 45 to the rod 46 is guided vertically in the opening 4 in the pedestal 48.

The lever 49 is pivoted at 51 to the top of the pedestal 52 which is mounted on the base plate 8. A spring 53 is connected between the standard 52 and the arm 54 which depends from the lever 49 between the pivot 51 and the block 45. By means of a handle 55 the detent 44 may be depressed against the action of the spring 53 to release the detent from one of the recesses 41. While the handle 55 is being held down, the matrix plate 22. may be freely turned on its vertical axis for selection of the matrix block with matrix characters thereon corresponding to the typebar to which a certain type-element is to be connected.

When the selected matrix block is located in position for the selected type-bar to be associated therewith, the handle 55 may be released, whereupon the spring 53 will move the detent 44 upwardly into the recess 41 which corresponds to the selected matrix block. Therefore while the type-element is being solderedto the extension 34 of'the type-bar,

' the matrix plate or t'urntable will be auto matically held in adjusted position. In order to hold the type-element accurately and automatically in its seais or matrices purpose each of the matrix blocks 24 is composed of magnetic material such as iron or steel, while the circular matrix plate or turntable 22'is composed'of non-magnetic material such as brass.

The electromagnetic mechanism preferably comprises a single electromagnetic winding 57 on a core 58 of soft iron, the lower end of which is connected to the iron plate 12. The pedestal 11 and the support 29 thereon are also of soft iron. Therefore when the iron or steel type-bar segment 30 is mounted on the pins 31 and support 29 and the type-bar 33 is swung "to the position shown in F ig. 2 with the extension 34 in the U-shaped recess 38 of the type-element 36, a magnetic circuit will be completed with only a small air gap therein. The lower surfaces of the matrix blocks may be in the plane coinciding with the upper surface of the upper pole 59 of the core 58 of the electromagnet. It sho'uld be understood, however, that while an accurate sliding ii is desirable between the lower surfaces of thematrix blocks 24 and the .upper surface of the pole 59, there-should be freedom of rotation of the turntable 22 when the latter is released by depression of the handle 55 and the withdrawal of the detent 44 from the recess 41. However, even though there should be a slight air gap between the lower surfaces of the matrix blocks 23 and the upper surface of the pole 59. while rotating the turntable 22, when the electromagnet is energized the block 24 adjacent the pole 59 will be drawn by the latter into contact there-' with and therefore such pole will act to accurately locate the upper surface of the block 24 at a predetermined elevation, all of the blocks being of exactly the same length.

In order to facilitate t'urning of the plate 22, I have provided means for de-energizing the electromagnet 57 when the handle 55 is depressed to release the dete t 44 from the recess 41. Suspended from tie lever 49 by means of the support 60 is a mercury vacuum switch 61 comprising a hermetically sealed glass tube witha globule of mercury 62 therein. Terminals of the supply leads 63, 64 are connected at 65 so as to project into the glass tube while being insulated from each other.

The mercury switch is mounted in a tilted position as shown in Fig. 3 so that when the lever'49 is in its upper position the mercury 62 will connect the terminals and complete the circuit of the solenoid 57 so as to energize the same. When the handle 55 is pressed down to release the detent 44 the mercury "inner walls of the type-element 36.

switch will beopened to effect de-energization of the electromagnet and consequently the matrix blocks 24 may be moved along the top of the pole 59 without being attracted or held thereby. When, however,the selected matrix block is brought over the top ofthe pole 59 and the lever 49 is released to cause the detent 44 to enter the recess 41 corresponding to the selected matrixv block, the, mercury switch will be re-closed by movement to the position shown in Fig. 3.

- After a matrix block 24 has been selected and the electromagnet has been-energized the selected matrix block will become magnetized. Therefore when the type-element correspond.- ing to the character depressions in the matrix block is placed in position on the latter it will also become magnetized and the magnetic attraction between the matrix block 24 and the type-element will efl'ect holding of the latter ver accurately in the desired position. This 1s illustrated in Fig. 5 as well as in Fig. 2. Now, when the type-bar 33 is swung over to its position shown in Fig. 2

for soldering of the type-element to the extension 34 without the necessity of holding any part whatever manually. The soldering may be effected by melting solder with a soldering iron and permitting it to run into and fill up the air gap, and while this takes place and the solder is still in molten condition the magnetic circuit remains so that the magnetic attraction between the matrix block 24 and hold the type-element accurately in adjusted position while the solder is becoming set.

The lever 55 may then be depressed to deenergize the electromagnet, whereupon the type-bar 33 may be moved, back with the type-element soldered thereto. The turntable may then be shifted to another position and thetype-bars swung one after another against the abutment '35 for. repetition of the operation of soldering of the type-element thereto. It shouldbe noted that the matrix plate or turntable 22 has mounted thereon matrix blocks with matrix depressions'ther' on for all of the characters of and therefore all of the type-elements for the type-segment 30 may be soldered to the type-bars before the type-segment is removed and another placed on the support 29.

the type-element will firmly a typewriter It should also be noted that the electromagnetpomprisin the plate 12, the core 58, the pedestal 11 an the support 29 is detachable by means of the cap screws 13. This arrangement is preferred so that the electromagnet may have its magnetic flux increased by the use of soft iron especially adapted to an electroma'gnet. The base plate 8 may be of any desired material suitable for casting, but it is desirable to construct the plate 22 of non-magnetic material such as brass so as to concentrate the magnetic lines of force through the selected matrix block 24 to the type-element 36 mounted thereon.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully disclosed an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for setting type on typewriter type-bars, the combination with a type-bar support, of a shiftable matrix capable of alignment with respect to the support, means to secure the matrix in aligned position and magnetic means for holding a type-bar and a type-slug in a predetermined position relative to the aligned matrix and type-bar support.

2. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a type-bar support, of a shiftable matrix formed of magnetic material, means to align the matrix with the type-bar support, a magnet associated with said matrix, said support means being in the magnetic circuit of said magnet for supporting the type-bar in a predetermined position relative to said matrix.

3. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a support for a type-bar segment, to which a type-slug is to be attached, of a shiftable matrix for the type slug, means to align the matrix with respect to the support, and means for magnetizing said matrix to hold the parts precisely in aligned position while the slug is attached to the bar.

4. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a type-matrix for snugly receiving a type element, of a support for a type-bar and means for establishing magnetic lines of force through the type-bar, the matrix and said type-element received therein to hold the latter in close fit with said matrix while said type-element is being secured to the type-bar. 5. Ina type-setting machine, the combination with a matrix: for snugly receiving a type-element adapted to fitthe same, of means for supporting a type-bar in position for soldering the'type-element thereto, matrix, and supporting means being of magsaid its poles connected in circuit with said parts of magnetic material to effect magnetlc holding of the type-element to the matrix whilesuch soldering is effected.

6. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a matrix of magnetic material, of a type-bar support of magnetic mater1al, and an electromagnet comprising a single solenoid, one of the poles of said electromagnet being connected to said support and its other pole being associated with said matrix.

7 In a type-setting machine, the combination with a type-bar support of magnetic material, of a single solenoid electromagnet having a core of magnetic material connected at one end to said support, and a matrix of magnetic material associated with the other end of said core.

8. In a type-setting machine, the combination'with a pedestal of magnetic material, of means on top of the same forsupporting a type-bar segment, a matrix of magnetic material, and an electromagnet having an upright core of magnetic material with its lower end connected to said pedestal and its upper end associated with the lower side of said matrix.

9. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a shift-able matrix, of releasable means for holding said matrix in adjusted position, electromagnetic means for magnetizing said matrix, and means, for controlling the releasable matrix holding means and said electromagnetic means.

10. In a type-setting machine, the combination with an adjustable matrix, of an electromagnet associated therewith, a switch for controlling the energization of said electromagnet, means for holding said matrix in adjusted position, and connections between said holding means and said switch to eflect operation of the latter to de-energize said electromaguet when the holding means is moved to releasing position.

11. In .a type-setting machine. the combination with an adjustable matrix, of means for-magnetizing the same, a swit h-for controlling said magnetizing means, means for holding said matrix inadjusted position, and a releasing lever connected to said holding means and said switch.

12. In a type-setting machine, the combination with'an adjustable matrix, of means for holding the same in adjusted position, an electromagnet associated with said matrix, a lever for releasing said holdingmeans, and a mercury switch'operable by said lever to open position when said holding means is released and to closed position when said lever is released.

13. In a type-setting machine, the com- .netic material, and an electromagnet having bination with a matrix. of a turntable for adjustably supporting the same, means comprising a detent for holding said matrix in adjusted position, a lever for releasing said detent to free said turntable for adjustment, an electromagnet associated with the said matrix when in its adjusted position, and a switch operable by said lever to control the energization of said electromagnet.

14. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a turntable of non-magnetic material at its peripheral portion, of a plurality of matrices of magnetic material mounted in circumferential spaced-apart relation in such peripheral portion, an electromagnet, means for holding said turntable in adjusted position with any one of said matrices associated with in a predetermined position, and means for supporting a type-bar segment in predetermined relation to such predetermined position.

15. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a plurality of matrices, of means for supporting the same for adjustment of each to a predetermined position,

an electromagnet associated with such position, a support fora type-bar segment, and means for controlling the energization of said electromagnet.

16. In a type-setting machine, the combi-.

nation with a support for a type-bar segment having thereon the type-bars for all the characters of a typewriter, of a plurality of typeelement receiving and supporting matrices corresponding to the type-elements comprising all of the type characters of theytypewriter, means to support said matrices for sequential adjustment each into aligned position with respect to the said supported position ofsaid type-bars ported type-element in time for soldering to its corresponding type-bar, and electromagnetic means for magnetizing the matrices to firmly holdthe type-elements therein when in aligned position to hold the type elements and the outer ends of their respective type-bars in position for soldering.

17. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a matrix of a shiftable matrix support, a detent for latching the matrix in adjusted position, electromagnetic means over which the matrix may be shifted by the movement of the support, means including a switch for magnetizing said matrix and means simultaneously operative to withdraw the detent to unlatch the matrix supportedfor shifting movement and to operate the switch to render the magnetizing means inoperative.

18. In a type-setting machine, the combination with having a matrix carrying portion swing above the magnet, a matrix carried in saidv portion in position to be aligned with respect to the magnet by the shiftlng movement of the support, latch means to adapted to said electromagnet through said matrix to position each supa magnet of a pivoted support hold the anism and render the magnet energizing means inoperative.

20. In a type-setting machine, the combination with a magnet, of a rotatable turntable having a periphery adapted to move above the ma et, a spaced series of matrices of magnetic material carried in the periphery of the turn table aligned with the magnet by the turning movement of the turn table, means to latch the turn table against rotation when any of the matrices is so'aligned and means to energize the magnet to firmly secure the aligned matrices in aligned position.

21. In a type-setting mechanism the combination, with a matrix for snugly receiving a type-slug, of a support for a type-bar, and means for creating lines of magnetic force and said type-bar whereby to securely hold same together upon the type-slug, while the type-slug is being attached to the bar.

'In testimony whereof I have signed my nameto this specification on this 16th day of July, A. D. 1930.

JAMES F. KOCA. I

in position to be sequentially 

